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Entries tagged with 'Legislature'On proposed constitutional amendments: Prop 4 will boost TexasThe Proposition 4 election on Nov. 3 is a critical vote for Texas. Proposition 4 appropriates funds to all Texas public universities to compete for a boost to the desired Tier One status. Tier One status is awarded to major... Utility choice is powerfulRe: "Electric deregulation," a two-part series that began last Sunday. Since electric competition began in 2002, there have been about 467 million bills issued, about 15 million moves by customers in or out of a residence and nearly 5 million... Icing the higher ed cakeUniversity officials and lawmakers from across the state enjoyed the post-session afterglow at a bill-signing today by Gov. Rick Perry at UTD. It was an important moment for higher education, which, i think, is still marveling at the good... The legislative session ends: Democrats can't have it both waysRe: "Final meltdown -- Senate's abrupt adjournment sets up possible special session -- Vote refused on keeping alive transportation, insurance departments," Tuesday news story. The story reports, "Senate Democrats blamed Republicans for trying to force a special session and avoiding... Sounding Off: How did the Legislature let you down?We asked our Sounding Off list members: What was your biggest disappointment in the just-completed legislative session? If the spirit moves you, feel free to respond to this question in the comments section here. Or, if you'd like to join... Checkpoints would save livesAnother legislative session has come and gone, and our state still does not have a sobriety checkpoint law, which would give our law enforcement agencies another tool to get drunken drivers off our streets. State Sen. John Carona worked hard... Casinos would have contributedBecause of a lack of leadership in our state government, the destination resort casino gaming bill has died in committee, notwithstanding that there were enough votes in the House and Senate to pass the bill. Independent polls have consistently shown... Rick Perry, GOP didn't solve a single problem this sessionIn bragging about how this legislative session was such a huge success, Gov. Rick Perry said this: "I bet there's not a lot of states out there that have cut taxes during this recession. California tried to raise a whole... Leppert & Co. to lobby for local optionOver on the Transportation Blog, we've been updating progress on the local option transportation issue in Austin. The latest: Expect to see Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert and dozens of other elected and civic leaders from North Texas to be... The costs of chubbingI was disappointed that our editorial today leaned toward excusing the retribution tactics of the Democrats in the House. (I don't think the issue was whether they acted under old rules or new rules -- it was the retribution itself.)... Republicans actually won the voter ID debateIt sure seems that House Democrats won this session's voter ID debate. They stalled long enough to kill the bill that would require picture ID to vote (and/or some other stuff). But the true winner here is the GOP. Here's... "Conservative myths" about rail transitDear readers, I'm spending nearly all my blog time contributing news and perspective to our website's new Transportation Blog. Yesterday I put up an item about conservatives and rail transit. In that the Opinion Blog's readership is oriented toward politics... Success in school true goalRe: "Grade Level Crossing -- Austin should permanently flunk 'no-fail' idea," April 15 Editorials. I have been in education for 28 years, and I have never found a student who didn't want to be successful. As teachers, it is our... Is smaller better in education? (topic of the day)The reference point is legislation heard in the Texas House to split the DISD in two. Local officials seem hostile to it, going back to when Michael Hinojosa was quoted on the DISD blog last month. What do you think?... HOAs keep standards highAs a proud homeowner in a deed-restricted community, I cringe every other year as some of our beloved representatives, namely Rep. Burt Solomon, seek to shut down the ability of homeowners associations to collect assessments from homeowners. I view my... Eye on Dallas roads & railUpdate on where North Texas senators stand on John Carona's local-option transportation bill (SB 855), which could reach the floor next week: I await only Cris Harris of Arlington, as I have been all week. His office promises me a... Eye on Dallas roads & railMorning update on the positions that North Texas senators are taking on John Carona's local-option transportation bill (SB 855), which could reach the floor in the next few days: Carona -- voted yes, in committee last week Florence Shapiro --... GPS for tolls -- or snooping?Re: "Next big idea to end gridlock: a per-mile fee -- Panel's unanimous plan is not as futuristic as it sounds, says Fred Hiatt," Monday Viewpoints. Hiatt writes that a tax on miles driven would bring considerable revenue for the... Parents: Pick up the slackRe: "Bill would pay kids for good grades -- Low-performing schools could offer cash for A's, B's or C's," Saturday news story. It is the duty of taxpayers to provide the opportunity for our children to get a decent education,... Eye on Dallas roads & rail... blogging to improve the way we move A different cast of characters in the rail scrum at the Capitol this session: OUT - So far, at least, is Phil Ritter, formerly of Texas Instruments. Phil was a very effective... |